Where is Marrakech?

Local Water Seller

The “Red City”, in which Marrakech is often referred to is centrally located in Morocco. Situated midway between the mighty Atlas Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, Marrakesh has an approximate population of more than a million. Unofficially, it is believed it could be nearly two million. The population is a mixture of Arab, French, Belgians, Berbers and Tuareg.

The famous Market Square of Djemaa el Fna and also one of the busiest in Africa is a treat for the senses. Here you will experience snake charmers, water sellers (in their very traditional and colourful attire), story tellers and people from all walks of life, making it a fabulous place for people watching.

Atlas Mountains in the background

Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakech and quite a recognisable landmark with its square minaret. It was completed during the reign of Sultan Yacoub el Mansour (1184-1199), making it one of the oldest of three Almohad minarets remaining in the world. The other two are in Rabat, Morocco and Seville, Spain.

Fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent became a feature to Marrakech when he purchased the ‘Majorelle Gardens’ during 1980 that had belonged to the French artist Jacques Majorelle. The gardens represent everything that is Moroccan with lush palms, fountains and splashes of vivid blue paint, pots and tiles adding a rich array of colour.

If you’re requiring accommodation whilst in Marrakech, I highly recommend this boutique hotel Riad Orangeraie – take a look at what’s on offer. It looks simply divine.

This ‘Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide of Marrakech’ will set you in the right direction to see all the grand sites of this exotic city.

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Marrakech

One Great Reason to Visit Marrakech

One great reason to visit Marrakech is to experience toothless Snake Charmers wrap a snake around your neck encouraging you to kiss it to bring ‘Good Luck’!

The Colours of Marrakech

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This entry was posted on Thursday, August 27th, 2009 at 3:00 am and is filed under Africa. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.